Why is Congress oversight function considered to be an important part of checks and balances quizlet?

THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT

What is the Basis for Congressional Oversight?

Congressional oversight is one of the most important responsibilities of the United States Congress. Congressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs and policy implementation, and it provides the legislative branch with an opportunity to inspect, examine, review and check the executive branch and its agencies. The authority of Congress to do oversight is derived from its implied powers in the U.S. Constitution, various laws, and House rules. In affirming Congress' oversight powers, the Supreme Court in McGrain v. Daugherty stated that "the power of inquiry � with process to enforce it � is an essential and appropriate auxiliary to the legislative function." In Watkins v. United States the Court described Congress' oversight power by stating that the "power of the Congress to conduct investigations is inherent in the legislative process. That power is broad." The Supreme Court also observed that "a legislative body cannot legislate wisely or effectively in the absence of information respecting the conditions which the legislation is intended to affect or change." The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 mandated that House and Senate committees exercise "continuous watchfulness" of the administration of laws and programs under their jurisdiction. The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 permitted House standing committees to "review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration and execution of laws" under its jurisdiction.

Why Does Congress Need to Do Oversight?

  • Ensure executive compliance with legislative intent.
  • Improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of governmental operations.
  • Evaluate program performance.
  • Prevent executive encroachment on legislative prerogatives and powers.
  • Investigate alleged instances of poor administration, arbitrary and capricious behavior, abuse, waste, dishonesty, and fraud.
  • Assess an agency or official's ability to manage and carry out program objectives.
  • Review and determine federal financial priorities.
  • Ensure that executive policies reflect the public interest.
  • Protect individual rights and liberties.
  • Review agency rule-making processes.
  • Acquire information useful in future policymaking.

What Do the Rules of the House Require of Committees With Respect to Oversight?

Clause 2(b)(1) of Rule X - Each standing committee, except Appropriations, shall review and study on a continuing basis the application, administration, and execution of all laws within its legislative jurisdiction.

Clause 2(d) of Rule X - Each standing committee is to submit its oversight plans for the duration of a Congress by February 15 of the first session to the Committees on Government Reform and House Administration. Not later than March 31, the Committee on Government Reform must report an oversight agenda.

Clauses 2(b)(2) and 5(d) of Rule X - Each standing Committee is authorized to require its subcommittees to conduct oversight in their jurisdictional areas or to create an oversight subcommittee.

Clause 1(d)(1) of Rule XI - Each committee must submit to the House, not later than January 2 of each odd-numbered year, a report on the activities of that committee for the Congress.

Clause 1(d)(2) of Rule XI - The survey of activities report must include separate sections summarizing the legislative and oversight activities of that committee during that Congress.

Clause 1(d)(3) of Rule XI - The oversight section of the survey of activities report must include a summary of the oversight plans submitted by the committee at the beginning of the Congress, a summary of the actions taken, recommendations made with respect to each such plan, and a summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken by that committee.

Clause 3(c) of Rule XIII - Committee reports on measures must include oversight findings separately set out and clearly identified.

****For further reference see "Congressional Oversight - A How to Series of Workshops", 106th Congress Rules Committee Print, June 28, July 12, and 26, 1999; "Congressional Oversight" by Frederick M. Kaiser (CRS), updated February 16, 1999 and the "Congressional Oversight Manual" (CRS), updated June 25, 1999.

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Write a paragraph explaining the major responsibilities of Congress regarding foreign policy. Consider the following questions to support your response: What role does Congress play in the creation of treaties? How does Congress influence U.S. foreign policy? What checks and balances are provided by Congress's war powers?

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Write a paragraph explaining how checks and balances help to limit the role of government. Consider the following questions to support your response: How does Congress provide a check on the executive branch when passing laws? How does the executive branch provide a check on Congress when passing laws?

Checks and balances is how the 3 branches keep each other in check. Since all three branches have equal amount of power one branch cannot do something the other branches do not approve of. the president cannot just pass laws it has to go through congress before it can be passed. The president as the power to pass a law after it goes through congress. The president also has the power to veto a bill. Even though it was passed in congress if the president does not like it he can veto it. congress retains the oversight function the process were congress through its committees checks to see that the executive agencies are carrying out the policies congress gas set by law

Why did Congress enact the War Powers Resolution in 1973? Use details from the text to support your answer.

The Constitution of the United States divides the war powers of the federal government between the Executive and Legislative branches: the President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces (Article II, section 2), while Congress has the power to make declarations of war, and to raise and support the armed forces (Article I, section 8). Over time, questions arose as to the extent of the President's authority to deploy U.S. armed forces into hostile situations abroad without a declaration of war or some other form of Congressional approval. Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in the aftermath of the Vietnam War to address these concerns and provide a set of procedures for both the President and Congress to follow in situations where the introduction of U.S. forces abroad could lead to their involvement in armed conflict. Congress used the elastic clause for their war powers

What is a filibuster? When and where is it typically used? Why do you think no equivalent for the filibuster exists in the House of Representatives? Why would government observers complain that the filibuster allows a minority to control the Senate?

A filibuster only happens in the senate. When a senator doesn't want a bill to be past they will perform a filibuster. This is when they talk a bill to death. They talk for a really long time. This makes people not want to sit through a meeting and give up on the bill. The house of representatives have a time limit on how long they can speak. A filibuster allows the minority to have control of the senate because they will just talk so know one will vote. when they don't have the vote they will try to stall the vote with a filibuster.

What is Congress's oversight function? In what way does Congress's oversight function provide a process of checks and balances?

oversight function, the process by which Congress, through its committees, checks to see that the executive agencies are carrying out the policies that Congress has set by law. One example of congress using checks and balances is with foreign policies The president does not have the power to solely pass a treaty. Since all the branches have equal power they all have to agree on a treaty before it is passed.

How do the foreign policy powers of the legislative and executive branches establish a system of checks and balances between these two branches of government?

the president can make an executive agreement without permission from the other two branches. If the president wants to make a treaty with another country the other two branches have to agree on it. This is an example of a beck and balance. The president does not have the power to solely pass a treaty. Since all the branches have equal power they all have to agree on a treaty before it is passed.

Describe how the meanings of the constitutional clauses that grant powers to Congress have been defined.

The "Elastic Clause" of the Constitution grants Congress power to pass unspecified laws "necessary and proper" for the exercise of its expressed powers. Congress's powers have grown as more and more kinds of government activity have been accepted as implied powers. "Necessary and Proper Clause" (sometimes also called the "Elastic Clause") grants Congress a set of so-called implied powers—that is, powers not explicitly named in the Constitution but assumed to exist due to their being necessary to implement the expressed powers that are named in Article I. the supremacy clause states that the constitution is the "law of the land" however people interpret the constitution in different ways. Strict constructionists think the government should only have the power to do things stated in the constitution. While liberal constructionist

How has the doctrine of implied powers increased the powers of Congress? Give examples.

the necessary and proper clause gives Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its powers. implied powers allow Congress to create laws to carry out its duties. for example, The expressed power to raise and support an army and navy. This gives congress the implied power to Set aside funds for states to create military schools.

How do strict constructionists and liberal constructionists differ in their attitude toward congressional power? How would a strict constructionist characterize the Federal Government? How would a liberal constructionist characterize the Federal Government?Which Framer supported both positions?

Strict constructionists want the states to have more power. liberal constructionists want the federal government to have more power. strict constructionists believe Implied powers give the national government too much power. they also thought the liberal constructionist view would make The state's powers be restricted and weakened.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? Why has it been called the Elastic Clause? How is it used?

A clause in article 1 that states "To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out the execution for the foregoing powers vested in the government of the United States..."It allows Congress to make laws not covered by its expressed powers. The implied powers of the Federal government are not expressly stated in the Constitution but can be reasonably inferred by the expressed powers themselves. Because the Necessary and Proper Clause has been used to cover a wide variety of topics it is also called the Elastic Clause. The "Elastic Clause" of the Constitution grants Congress power to pass unspecified laws "necessary and proper" for the exercise of its expressed powers. Congress's powers have grown as more and more kinds of government activity have been accepted as implied powers. "Necessary and Proper Clause" (sometimes also called the "Elastic Clause") grants Congress a set of so-called implied powers—that is, powers not explicitly named in the Constitution but assumed to exist due to their being necessary to implement the expressed powers that are named in Article I.

Compare the roles of the Speaker of the House and the president of the Senate.

The VP is the president of the Senate according to the Constitution.•The president of the Senate has only a few powers in the Senate; including:-Recognizing members to speak-Put questions to a vote-Vote only if there is a tie

The Speaker of the House is the elected presiding officer of the House and the acknowledged leader of the majority party.The Speaker of the House has several responsibilities, including:- to preside and keep order in the House- recognizing Reps. To speak during debate-interpreting and applying the rules-refers the bills to committees-rules on points of order (questions raised by Reps.)-puts motion to a vote-decided the outcome of most votes taken on the floor of the House-names the members of all committees-sign all bills and resolutions passed by the House

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Why is Congress oversight function considered to be an important part of checks and balances?

Congressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs and policy implementation, and it provides the legislative branch with an opportunity to inspect, examine, review and check the executive branch and its agencies.

In what way does Congress oversight function provide a process of checks and balances quizlet?

In what way does Congress's oversight function provide of checks and balances? The Oversight function gives Congress the responsibility to check how the Executive branch and its agencies carry out the policies outlined by Congress.

In what way is legislative oversight an example of checks and balances quizlet?

Legislative oversight is an example of checks and balances because... congress can see if the executive branch is carrying out a law as it is needed. Which of the following investigations resulted in Congress finding out that one of its members had been bribed?

What is the role of Congress in the system of checks and balances quizlet?

What is the role of Congress in the system of checks and balances? Congress plays a vital role in the system of checks and balances. As the legislative branch of government, Congress has potent checks on the powers of the executive and judicial branches. Congress also must enforce laws.